Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Everywhere you turn...

All the streets in Ronda (and every other city in Spain) are lined with christmas lights of all shapes and colors and sizes. It makes for a very festive feel, as I get into the spirit of the season. As far as decorations go, they are big on tinsel here and fake christmas trees. Some have little santa clauses climbing up the balcony of their apartment and shopwindows are decked out in the season. Also, since I am in a catholic country they do not have the same conciousness of 'Happy Holidays" "Season's Greetings" or "Winter Break" that we are so PC about - in order to respect all cultures a tradition. Everyone celebrates Christmas, and everything is Christmas this, nativity scenes that, and of course the three kings.

Although Santa Claus (Papa Noel) is creeping onto the scene here, he doesnt visit the majority of homes here in Ronda. The big gift distributor is the Reyes Magos (the three Kings) who come on Jan 6th. And so christmas vacation is Dec 22 through Jan 8th allowing for that celebration. Some lucky children get visits from both: the reasoning being that then the kids get to play with their toys longer during vacation. And overall, the spirit of the season is not about gift giving, which is very refreshing for me. It is about spending time with family, with a traditional big dinner on Christmas Eve and a lunch on the 25th. The holiday celebration does not revolve around present by any means, which - if you ask me - is the way it ought to be. I have learned several spanish christmas carols, that involve clapping and are flamenco style. Very fun. And I have also decorated my apartment (on a budget) with christmas lights, poinsettias, stockings and tinsel.

Also, there is a Christmas Lottery - which is HUGE here. Everyone buys a lottery ticket., or multiple, and the winners are announced December 22nd. I thought I might get into the spirit and feel like a true spanish woman - until i found out that each lottery ticket is 23 euros!!! I was thinking - ya know - 1 euros. No, no. Can you just imagine!? And that some people buy one with each number ending - spending 300 euros or more! Every culture has its little quirks I suppose, but I diecided to sit this cultural experience out. Another addition to the christmas spirit was today they set up speakers on the main street that blast christmas music for the shoppers (who are our in full force). This is lovely for the shoppers, howver for those of us that live directly above these shoppers listening to christmas carols 18 hours a day may get a little tiring (even for me).

I have been delivering my full dose of christmas carols to the student the past couple weeks too. One day I sang for at least 8 hours - nonstop christmas carols! The repetoire includes "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and "Jingle Bells" (the 2 staples); "The 12 Days of Christmas" (good for practicing numbers) "Silent Night" (classic) "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" (with the echos) "White Christmas" and "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire." There is also lots of drawing on the blackboard of christmas trees, presents, mistletoe, reindeer, etc. We sing so much in my classes that the students have learned to expect it right from the moment I walk in the room! :)

Other highlights from the past few weeks:

-the conference I went to with ActionAid International was a blast! 100% spanish and 100% passionate about issues of international development in Latin America. It felt good to be part of an engaged community, and also wiggle my feet in the sand at the beach that was about 30 yards from our hotel.

-Last Thursday I went on an 18 mile hike (30 kms) from Ronda to another white village through the country side with my hiking group. The company was great, and the scenery stupdenous. We are training for a 100 km (62 mile) extravaganza that is coming up in the spring.

-On Friday my Flamenco class had a little christmas celebrations (all 6 of us) with a bottle of christmas wine and some christmas pastries. We would drink a little, dance a little, drink a little dance a little. At 10:30 am we were all loosened up to dance flamenco. Oh spain!

Speaking of Spanish Christmas pasteries let me elaborate.The primary christmas sweet here is Mantecados. When I first tried one I devoured it in an instant . I reached for another, and another. They melt in your mouth. Delicious. 'And they aren't too chocolate-y,' I thought. One day I decided to read the label to find out what was in these magical goodies. Ready? In this order: Flour, Sugar, Lard, Chocolate. Let me repeat: Flour... Sugar.... LARD... Chocolate!! That is not even a 'I'll have some lard with my chocolate'. It is a 'I suppose I will have some chocolate with my LARD.' Well, needless to say, I have packed on some good spirited christmas pounds into my love handles. And although I paused for a good 5 minutes while I took in the immensity of calories I was consuming; I quickly resumed my eating and enjoying. There are also other flavors of Mantecados - lemon, almond, orange. I prefer the chocolate.

Another lovely moment in my Mantecado education: One day I was drinking my coffee and drenching my bread with olive oil, as usual during recess at school. This particular day there was a basket of individually wrapped mantecados on the table that people were eating. At this point I had already discovered the fact that mantecado=calorie bomb, so i politely declined. But people were munching away, no problem. Then at the end of the meal someone mentioned - "oh yeah, those are the leftover manetcados from last year." LAST YEAR?! I thought. And was eager to share that with my friends at the next school. Turns out it is not uncommon. They thought nothing of it! Well I'll be. These are sure the most fascinating pastery I've come across.

So this is the last week of school, as I imagine it is for many of you. Hope this finds you well, enjoying the festivities as you slave away at finals, work and last minute shopping. I hope you enjoy the holiday spirit, sing some christmas song, drink eggnog and eat some gingerbread cookies by the fire. I am looking forward to a caroling show and a play at the elementary school, along with some christmas arts and crafts, a visit from the three wise men, and my brother coming tovisit me at the ned of this week. Happy Holidays!